Testing underway for Cars.co.za Consumer Awards

Three finalists in each of the 13 categories were recently assessed on a wide variety of merits by a total of 20 judges over two days at the Gerotek test facility near Pretoria. The panel comprised Cars.co.za’s in-house team of expert motoring journalists together with a group of hand-picked guest judges, each with a specialist background or field of expertise.

Consumers have an actual say in which vehicles are honoured by the #CarsAwards. Fifty percent of a respective vehicle’s score is based on detailed feedback on after-sales servicing and ownership. It’s not unusual that the expert judging panel’s favourite vehicle does not win due to the impact of the Ownership Satisfaction Survey which is based on thousands of respondents who complete the in-depth 50-question survey. As with all past competitions, results from the survey will completely determine the coveted 2018/19 Brand of the Year.

The Cars.co.za Consumer Awards also differs from other annual automotive award programmes in that all vehicles currently available in the South African market (provided they were introduced by 1 September 2018) are eligible. Other awards recognise vehicles which were launched in the past year only.

Hannes Oosthuizen, consumer experience manager at Cars.co.za, said, “We continue to hone the testing procedures and voting systems utilised by #CarsAwards as we strive to serve the consumer better. Ultimately, these Awards are not about handing out trophies, but to give car buyers considered advice. We believe our process of back-to-back testing and real-world consumer input is key to #CarsAwards achieving those goals.”

What the judges are saying...

“I’m not a petrol head, I’m a single mom,” said guest judge Claire Mawisa, Carte Blanche investigative journalist. “I speak a different language to a motoring expert. I’m conscious of practicality. I often approach a car with trollies, prams and picnic baskets. If a rear seat folding mechanism is too complex it can be a turn off. I want everything to be clearly marked and easy to understand. Something as simple as a cupholder or USB port can make a difference in how I score a car.”

“Pairing a smartphone to a car’s infotainment needs to be quick and seamless,” said Nafisa Akabor, tech journalist and guest judge. “Button layout must be easy to understand. I don’t want to look for the aircon switch for five minutes. It’s also crucial for a driver to keep their eyes on the road, so how intuitive a vehicle’s various systems are is important.”

“We need to take a step back and ask who the consumer is,” said Khulekani Dumisa, motoring expert and Budget Car judge. “The Budget Car category is a critical segment. For many this is a first purchase and affordability is key, not only in terms of price but also running costs. In the current economy consumers have become more discerning. People want to spend less but get more for their money.”

2018/19 Cars.co.za Consumer Awards finalists announced

8 Oct 2018

Ashley Oldfield, performance vehicle specialist and Cars.co.za content manager said: “The Performance Car and Hot Hatch categories are not just about which car can set the fastest lap time around the dynamic handling track. Speed plays a role for sure, but it's more about the driving experience and emotional connection between driver and machine. Things like confidence-inspiring handling and a spine-tingling exhaust note play a larger part in the judging process for these categories.”

“For 60 years WesBank has been at the heart of South Africa’s automotive industry, and we feel privileged to be able to partner with Cars.co.za for this project,” said Ghana Msibi, WesBank’s executive head of Sales and Marketing. “We’re in an era where the new vehicle market is evolving and consumers have varying requirements. These awards truly resonate with the consumer. Offering the public an opportunity to have a say in judging aligns with WesBank’s consumer-centric focus.”

WesBank, South Africa’s vehicle and asset finance house, recently announced it would renew its partnership with the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards. This will be the third consecutive year that WesBank is sponsoring this awards programme, which has grown year on year in stature, reach and influence.

To participate in the Cars.co.za Ownership Satisfaction Survey or to get more information about the awards, go to www.carsawards.co.za.